The effects of combined treatment of ET antisense oligonucleotide with eNOS genetic transfection on the endothelial function of venous autografts

Objective: To observe the effects of combined treatment of endothelin (ET) antisense oligonucleotide with adenovirus-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genetic transfection on the endothelial function of venous autografts and any protection for endothlial function. Methods: The external jugular veins were autografted into abdominal aorta arteries in 20 Wistar rats, which were divided evenly into experimental and control group at random. The transplanted veins of experimental group were immersed in the adenovirus-mediated eNOS cDNA solution for 15 minutes before anastomosis and coated with ET antisense oligonucleotide glue get after anastomosis, while the control ones were only immersed in the adenovirus solution for 15 minutes with only plain gel coating postoperatively. The blood samples were taken at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days post-operatively and the levels of ET, NO were determined by radioimmunoassay and Griss method. Results: the plasma ET levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than those in the control. The condition was just opposite for the NO level. Both levels returned to normal earlier in experimental group (7 days) than in controls (14 days). Conclusion: The autograft venous vascular endothelium can be protected and is function restored by ET antisense oligonucleotide and eNOS gene transfection